Surface treating head assembly

ABSTRACT

A surface treating head assembly includes a housing having a fluid outlet. A sealing connection is provided between the outlet and a flexible hose, which may be located on the main body of a surface-treating appliance such as a vacuum cleaner. The housing is arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, and the head assembly further includes a locating mechanism arranged to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots. The provision of a sealing connection that is inhibited from rotating permits the surface treating head to be widely maneuverable while having a sound fluid flow path.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage application under 35 USC 371 of International Application No. PCT/GB2007/003214, filed Aug. 23, 2007, which claims the priority of United Kingdom Application No. 0617178.9, filed Sep. 1, 2006, the contents of which prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a surface treating head assembly for a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surface treating appliances such as vacuum cleaners and floor polishers are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are either of the ‘upright’ type or of the ‘cylinder’ type, called canister or barrel cleaners in some countries. A typical upright vacuum cleaner comprises a main body which houses the main components of the vacuum cleaner, such as a motor and fan for drawing dirty air into the machine and some form of separating apparatus for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn in by the fan. The main body also houses filters for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. A cleaner head is rotatably mounted to the lower end of the main body. A supporting wheel is mounted on each side of the lower part of the main body, in a fixed relationship to the main body. In use, a user reclines the main body of the vacuum cleaner and then pushes and pulls a handle which is fixed to the main body of the cleaner. The vacuum cleaner rolls along the floor surface on the supporting wheels.

A dirty-air inlet is located on the underside of the cleaner head. Dirty air is drawn into the dust separating apparatus via the dirty-air inlet by means of the motor-driven fan. When the dirt and dust entrained within the air has been separated from the airflow in the separating apparatus, air is conducted to the clean air outlet by a second air flow duct, and via one or more filters, and expelled into the atmosphere.

Conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage in that they can be difficult to manoeuvre about an area in which they are used. They can be pushed and pulled easily enough, but pointing the cleaner in a new direction is more difficult.

It has been proposed to make an upright vacuum cleaner more manoeuvrable by substituting a wide rolling support for the supporting wheels, such as is described in our patent application GB2391459. The rolling support surface improves manoeuvrability, permitting the surface-treating head of the appliance to turn and be steered through a wide range of movements. However, the continuity of the fluid flow path has to be maintained through this range of movements, which is wider than was achievable hitherto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a surface treating head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid outlet and a sealing connection between the outlet and a flexible hose, the housing being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, the head assembly further comprising locating means arranged to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots.

The provision of a sealing connection that is inhibited from rotating permits the surface treating head to be manoeuvrable whilst having a sound fluid flow path.

Preferably, the housing pivots about an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the hose.

Advantageously, the locating means comprises at least one projection and at least one corresponding notch, one of which is located on the hose, the other being located on the sealing connection. A plurality of projections and notches may be provided.

The sealing connection, typically a seal, may be carried by the hose. Part of the locating means may be moulded into the seal.

The invention is particularly suitable for inclusion in a surface-treating appliance having a main body having a hose and surface-treating head that is pivotable with respect to main body, and hence the hose.

The term “surface treating appliance” is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a head for travelling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, machines which apply suction to the surface so as to draw material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry), as well as machines which apply material to the surface, such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn mowers and other cutting machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vacuum cleaner constructed according to the invention

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1 in use;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of components of the surface treating head and the main body of the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partly sectional view of the components of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a partly cut-away view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface treating appliance is shown in the form of a vacuum cleaner and is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The vacuum cleaner 1 comprises a main body 2, a cleaner head 3 and a roller assembly 4 for rolling the cleaner along a floor surface. The roller assembly 4 comprises a central floor-engaging roller 5, which has an elongated barrel shape, and a pair of rotatable side caps 6 a, 6 b. The main body 2 houses a motor and fan for generating a suction airflow (not visible in these drawings) as well as separating apparatus 7 for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn into the machine by the fan and motor. In this embodiment, the separating apparatus 7 is cyclonic, in which the dirt and dust is spun from the airflow. The cyclonic separating apparatus 7 comprises two stages of cyclone separation arranged in series with one another. The first stage is a cylindrically-walled chamber 8 and the second stage comprises a set 9 of tapering, substantially frusto-conically shaped chambers arranged in parallel with one another. Airflow is directed tangentially into the upper part of the chamber 8. Larger debris and particles are removed and collected in the chamber 8. The airflow then passes through a shroud 10 to the set 9 of smaller frusto-conically shaped cyclonic chambers. Finer dust is separated by these chambers and the separated dust is collected in a common collecting region.

The main body 2 also houses filters (not visible in these drawings) for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. These filters remove any fine particles of dust which have not already been removed from the airflow by the separating apparatus. A first filter, called a pre-motor filter, is provided before the motor and fan. A second filter, called a post-motor filter, is provided after the motor and fan. Where the motor for driving the suction fan has carbon brushes, the post-motor filter also serves to trap any carbon particles emitted by the brushes. Clean air is then expelled to the atmosphere.

The cleaner head 3 is pivotably mounted to the lower end of the main body 2, and serves, in use, to treat the floor surface. In this embodiment, it comprises a housing 11 with a chamber for supporting an agitator in the form of a brush bar 12. The lower, floor-facing side of the chamber has an air inlet slot 13. The brush bar 12 is rotatably mounted in the chamber such that bristles on the brush bar can protrude through the inlet slot 13 and can agitate the floor surface over which the cleaner head passes. The brush bar 12 is rotatably driven by a dedicated motor 14 positioned on the rear of the housing 11.

The roller assembly 4 permits the cleaner to be manoeuvred easily along a floor surface. In order to provide extra support for the cleaner when the main body 2 is in the vertical position, as in FIG. 1, a stand 15 is provided behind the cleaner head 3. The stand 15 extends between the rear of the main body 2 on he floor surface on which the cleaner 1 stands.

A user-operable handle 16 extends upwardly from the rear part of the main body 2. When the cleaner 1 is in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be used in a cylinder mode, in which case the handle 16 may be released and used as a hose and wand assembly. A changeover valve (not shown) on the main body 2 automatically connects the dust separating apparatus 5 to the wand and hose so that cleaner can be used in cylinder mode for above the floor cleaning. Air is drawn into the cleaner through the end of the wand which can be released from the cleaner for appropriate manipulation. The inlet 12 in the cleaner head 10 is automatically shut off.

When the cleaner 1 is to be used in conventional upright mode, the user reclines the main body 2 whilst depressing a pedal 17 associated with the stand 16. A mechanism on the main body 2 causes the stand 15 to pivot into a position where it lies against the main body, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The changeover valve automatically shuts off the air inlet at the distal end of the wand handle 16 and connects the dust separating apparatus 7 to the inlet 13 in the cleaner head 3.

The cleaner head 3 is connected to the main body 2 of the vacuum cleaner 1 in such a manner that the cleaner head remains in contact with a floor surface as the main body is manoeuvred through a wide range of operating positions, e.g. when moved from side-to-side or when the main body is twisted about its longitudinal axis. A linkage in the form of a yoke 18 forms a connection between the cleaner head 3 and the main body 2. The yoke 18 comprises a shell, which is moulded to incorporate two rotational axes 19, 20. The first axis 19, which extends across the sides of the shell, permits the main body 2 to pivot with respect to the yoke when it is reclined for a cleaning operation in the upright mode. The second axis 20, which depends from the front of the shell, permits the head 3 to turn with respect to the yoke 18 when the cleaner is being steered along a floor surface. The two axes 19, 20 are transverse to each other and are preferably perpendicular. This arrangement permits the appliance to be more easily manoeuvred than traditional vacuum cleaners.

FIG. 2 shows the vacuum cleaner in a turning position. The user rotates the main body 2 about its longitudinal axis 21 by means of the handle 16. This causes the roller assembly 4 to tilt with respect to the floor. The rotational axes 19, 20 associated with the yoke 18 cause the cleaner head 3 to turn whilst remaining in contact with the floor. The extent to which the main body 2 is turned about its longitudinal axis 21 determines the extent to which the cleaner head 3 moves from its forward facing position towards the right or left. The stand 15 remains neatly tucked up against the rear of the main body 2 through the range of motions performed by the cleaner 1. This permits the user easily to manoeuvre the cleaner 1, even when cleaning under furniture and other low obstructions.

The head 3 is able to pivot and turn through a variety of positions with respect to the main body of the cleaner. The fluid flow path between the inlet 13 to the cleaner head 3 and the separating apparatus 7 on the main body 2 must remain sound and continuous in all positions, otherwise air from the atmosphere will be drawn into the cleaner 1. This may have a detrimental effect on the suction performance of the cleaner 1.

In accordance with the invention, a sealing connection between a fluid outlet on the head and a flexible hose on the main body is provided, and locating means is arranged to inhibit rotation of the hose as the surface treating head pivots. FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing components of the head and its connection to the main body at the yoke in more detail. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of these components as assembled. The head further comprises a fluid outlet 22 in fluid communication with both the fluid inlet 13 and a conduit in the form of a flexible hose 23. The hose 23 provides a fluid flow path between the cleaner head 3 and the main body 2 of the cleaner 1. A seal 24 joins the fluid outlet 22 to the hose 23 to form a sealing connection. The fluid outlet 22 opens out into a recess (not visible in these drawings) at the rear of the housing 11. A collar 25 is arranged to sit inside the recess and also to fit around a neck 26 projecting from the yoke 18. The collar 25 is fastened to the housing 11, but is allowed to pivot about the neck 26. The neck 26 incorporates an aperture arranged to admit the hose 23. Thus, the head 3 can pivot about the axis 20, which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the hose 23.

The seal 24 is arranged to abut the end of the outlet 22 and so provide a sealing connection between the outlet and the hose 23. In this embodiment, the seal 24 is moulded so as to form a plurality of radial projections 27 equally spaced around the circumference of its outer surface. When the components are assembled, the projections 27 on the seal 24 extend in a direction parallel to that of the fluid flow path. These projections 27 are arranged to fit in corresponding notches 28 around the circumference of the end of the neck 26. The provision of similar, equally-spaced projections and notches enable the hose to be fitted against the neck in any orientation. This feature facilitates assembly of the hose. Thus, the seal 24, and hence the hose 23, is located in a predetermined position and is prevented from rotating as the head 3 turns from side to side with respect to the yoke 18.

Thus, when the user rotates the cleaner about its longitudinal axis 21, and the cleaner head turns about the axis 20 on the yoke 18, the outlet 22 will rotate with respect to the yoke. Because of the sealing connection at seal 24 with the hose 23, the turning moment of the outlet 22 will tend to urge the hose to rotate with the outlet. However, the co-operating projections and notches resist relative axial movement and inhibit the hose 23 from rotating about its longitudinal axis. This feature maintains the continuity of the fluid pathway. It also prevents the hose from twisting or kinking, which might cause wear of the fabric of the hose as well as deforming the fluid flow path.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown, partly cut-away, in FIG. 5. This drawing illustrates a surface treating head in the form of a floor tool for a vacuum cleaner, indicated generally by the reference numeral 29. The tool 29 comprises a housing 30, in which an agitator in the form of a brush bar 31 is rotatably mounted. Bristles or beaters (not shown) carried by the brush bar 31 project through a suction opening 32 as the brush bar rotates and agitate the surface to be cleaned. The brush bar 31 is driven by means of a turbine 33, through which air is drawn by the motor of the vacuum cleaner, and a drive belt (not shown).

The housing 30 has a fluid outlet 34, which communicates with an outlet conduit in the form of a hose 35. A seal 36 provides a sealing connection between the two. A neck 37 on the housing 30 fits into a collar 38 carried by the hose 35 and is able to rotate inside the collar to provide a pivoting connection of the housing 30 with respect to the hose 35. The other end of the hose 35 terminates in a rigid outlet 39, which is connectable to the wand of a surface-treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner. Wheels 40 on the tool 29 permit it to be rolled along a surface to be treated. When the wand, and hence the outlet 39 is rotated about its longitudinal axis, one of the wheels 40 lifts from the surface. The pivoting connection permits the housing 30 to turn in the direction of the remaining wheel 40 so that, if the outlet is rotated to the left, the housing turns to the left.

In this embodiment, the locating means comprises a radially raised portion 41 on the seal arranged to abut against an inwardly projecting ledge 42 of corresponding shape on the inner surface of the collar. The mating surfaces of the raised portion 41 and the ledge 42 have a sinuous shape that inhibits movement of the hose 35 with respect to the housing 30 in both axial and radial directions. The locating means is arranged to provide a connection in one predetermined position, which may be useful if other components associated with the hose, such as electrical connections, also need to be arranged in a predetermined position or orientation.

Of course, further variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The locating means could take on many forms. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, rounded projections and notches are employed, but these could be squared off to give castellated projections and notches.

While the illustrated embodiments show a vacuum cleaner and a tool for a vacuum cleaner in which ducts carry airflow, it will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to vacuum cleaners which carry other fluids, such as water and detergents, as well as other surface-treating appliances. 

1. A surface treating head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid outlet and a sealing connection between the outlet and a flexible hose, the housing being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose the head assembly further comprising a locating mechanism configured to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots.
 2. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the locating mechanism is carried by the sealing connection.
 3. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the sealing connection is carried by the hose.
 4. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the locating mechanism comprises at least one projection and at least one corresponding notch, one of the projection and the notch being located on the hose.
 5. The head assembly of claim 4, in which the other of the projection and the notch is located on the sealing connection.
 6. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the locating mechanism comprises at least one projection and at least one corresponding notch, one of the projection and the notch being located on the sealing connection.
 7. The head assembly of claim 5, in which one of the projection and the notch is integral with the sealing connection.
 8. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the housing is arranged to pivot about an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the hose.
 9. The head assembly of claim 1, in which the housing is arranged to pivot about an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of the hose.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A surface treating appliance comprising a surface treating head assembly comprising a housing having a fluid outlet and a sealing connection between the outlet and a flexible hose, the housing being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the hose, the head assembly further comprising a locating mechanism configured to inhibit rotation of the hose as the housing pivots.
 12. The appliance of claim 11, having a main body, the surface treating head assembly being arranged to move pivotably with respect to the main body and the hose is carried by the main body.
 13. The appliance of claim 11, in which part of the locating mechanism is located on a linkage carried by the main body.
 14. The appliance of claim 13, further comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis, the linkage being arranged such that rotating the handle about the longitudinal axis causes the housing of the surface treating head to turn in a new direction.
 15. The appliance of claim 14, in which the linkage is also arranged to allow the housing to remain substantially in contact with the surface being treated as the handle is rotated about its longitudinal axis.
 16. The appliance of claim 13, in which the linkage is arranged to pivot with respect to the main body
 17. The appliance of claim 16, in which a pivoting axis of the linkage is transverse to a pivoting axis of the housing.
 18. The appliance of claim 11, further comprising a rolling support assembly.
 19. The appliance of claim 18, in which the rolling support assembly comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a rolling support surface in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle.
 20. (canceled)
 21. A vacuum cleaner comprising the appliance of claim
 11. 